About the Event

Energy sources, supplies, and needs are changing our world at breakneck speed. In the Upper Midwest, for instance, fracking, ethanol, and wind turbines have moved in practically overnight, bringing with them big money, heavy equipment, and seismic shifts to the social and economic landscape as well as the roads. Ready or not, the new American energy revolution has begun.

At this year’s symposium, representatives from the business community, academia, and the public sector considered major trends and the effect of our changing energy supply on freight and logistics providers. Robert Henry, vice president of operations for Dakota Plains Holdings, Inc., gave the keynote presentation on the re-revolution of crude by rail—a key segment of rail movements from the 1860s to 1940s that is currently experiencing a resurgence.

In addition, a panel discussion, featuring transportation representatives from the public sector and academia, discussed the implications of new energy resources on freight transportation in the Upper Midwest. Another session featured presentations about impacts and innovations of energy resources to the private sector of the freight and logistics community.